Chapter 1308: Who?

Chapter 1307: Who?

“You aren’t… really a Divine-Shaman of the Great Wilderness, are you?” True-Person Zhuge looked at Mo Hua, his gaze grave.

Administrator Huangfu and Administrator Shangguan both turned to look at Mo Hua as well.

Mo Hua denied it. “I’m not.”

True-Person Zhuge spoke cautiously:

“The Heart-Tugging, Emotion-Arousing, Desire-Falling Golden Needle is no ordinary treasure. The entire Huá Clan might not even possess more than a few of them. Without the consent of an ancestor-level figure, even True-Person Huá might not be able to use it lightly.”

“Yet True-Person Huá used this needle on you, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator…”

“That means he must have been very confident that you possessed something extraordinarily divine, or that a ‘god’ was actually parasitizing you. This god was something True-Person Huá could not contend with, and he feared accidents, so he used this needle to stir desire and sever your divinity…”

“He wouldn’t target you for no reason. Since he went this far, even if you aren’t a Divine-Shaman, you must be deeply connected to one.”

True-Person Zhuge’s expression grew more and more solemn.

From this, Mo Hua could tell, True-Person Zhuge’s family inheritance definitely included studies of the Divine Dao.

And True-Person Zhuge himself clearly had attainments in this area; his judgment of the situation was, broadly speaking, correct.

Indeed… if one wishes no one to know, one must leave nothing undone.

Some things can fool ordinary people, but they can never fool the truly clever.

Mo Hua sighed. “Yes. I am the Divine-Shaman of the Great Wilderness. After I ended up in the Desolate Wilderness, I used the Divine Dao to unify the faith of the Desolate Wilderness, launched divine wars, conquered the various mountain realms, became the foremost figure beneath the Divine-Lord. I command dozens of third-rank major tribes, can mobilize late-stage Golden Core great chieftains and main-tribe generals, lead millions of barbarian soldiers, and control the life and death of hundreds of millions of barbarian cultivators…”

The air instantly fell silent. A pin could be heard dropping.

True-Person Zhuge, Administrator Huangfu, and Administrator Shangguan all sucked in a cold breath.

After a moment, Administrator Huangfu sighed. “That makes sense. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t possibly pull off something like that…”

Administrator Shangguan was visibly relieved. “I almost thought our Great Void Sect had produced a colossal traitor.”

True-Person Zhuge also let out a breath of relief.

Under such circumstances, anyone who still believed Mo Hua was a Divine-Shaman would really need to have their head examined.

Mo Hua looked helpless.

Sometimes circumstances forced him to lie.

But lying made people suspicious.

And telling the truth made them not believe him at all.

Life was hard.

“Then what should we do about this golden needle?” Mo Hua changed the subject, then asked with some confusion,

“Also, why does the Huá Clan even have something this improper? ‘Heart-Tethering, Emotion-Arousing, Desire-Falling’—that doesn’t look like a righteous method at all.”

True-Person Zhuge said, “Strictly speaking, this actually comes from the Joyous-Union Sect.”

“The Joyous-Union Sect?” Mo Hua was delighted. “The Huá Clan has turned demonic? They’ve betrayed the Dao Court and abandoned the righteous path too?”

True-Person Zhuge was helpless. “Lower your voice. Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Oh.” Mo Hua lowered his voice. “Then what’s the story?”

True-Person Zhuge said, “The Joyous-Union Sect is a demonic sect, but not everything from the ‘Joyous-Union Sect’ is tainted with evil.”

“Food and sex, these are among humanity’s greatest desires. Emotion and desire are innate human urges, and are also a part of the ‘Human Dao.’”

“Based on emotion and desire, there are actually many legitimate cultivation methods.”

“In ancient times, most Joyous-Union Sect cultivators emphasized cultivating emotion without falling into desire, using the heart to comprehend the myriad transformations of ‘emotion.’ They were even stricter than ordinary people about boundaries between men and women. They stirred the heart and emotions only, uniting with the Dao through emotion, without indulging in physical pleasure.”

Mo Hua was stunned. This was the first time he had heard such cultivation lore.

“Then what happened later?” Mo Hua asked.

True-Person Zhuge shook his head. “Emotion and desire are separated by only a thin line, with blurred boundaries. Cultivating emotion is bitter; cultivating desire is pleasurable…”

“Cultivating emotion is too conservative and too slow, it requires years upon years of nurturing feelings.”

“Cultivating desire, on the other hand, is convenient, fast… and pleasurable. Just take off some clothes.”

“Over time, fewer and fewer cultivated emotion, and more and more cultivated desire.”

“Some who cultivated desire even went out of their way to seduce those cultivating emotion, corrupting their cultivation and destroying their foundations.”

“Once the concept of ‘lust’ flooded unchecked, it became like a raging flood or ferocious beast. Before long, desire spread through the Joyous-Union Sect like ‘deadly poison.’”

“The Joyous-Union Sect completely sank, becoming a demonic sect without shame, relying on fleshly allure to stir human desire, draining essence and blood, and siphoning yang energy.”

“To this day, the Joyous-Union Sect (Hehuan Sect) is a demonic sect, and the words ‘hehuan’ have become a byword for crude, fleshly indulgence…”

As he spoke, True-Person Zhuge suddenly felt something was off, perhaps he shouldn’t be discussing these things with Mo Hua.

After all, the kid was still young.

But then he glanced over and saw that Mo Hua had already grown quite tall, a clear-eyed and handsome youth, and felt that it was probably about time—he was at an age when he should understand such things.

Mo Hua, however, didn’t think much of it. He merely felt some emotion for how this ancient sect had strayed from its original intent, lost emotion, and fallen into desire.

What makes humans human is the heart that seeks the Dao, and the bonds of human feeling.

Though desire is an inborn human instinct and unavoidable, if one truly sinks into material desire, letting it cloud the heart and extinguish righteousness, then a “demon” will inevitably be born within the human heart.

At that point, it wouldn’t just be individuals ruined—sects would be ruined, clans would be ruined, and the entire cultivation world would likely be ruined along with them…

Mo Hua nodded slowly, feeling as though he vaguely understood another truth.

Another piece had been added to his understanding of the cultivation world.

True-Person Zhuge, however, stared at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua snapped back to attention and asked, “What’s wrong?”

True-Person Zhuge asked, “Do you feel… all right?”

“Feel?” Mo Hua didn’t quite understand.

True-Person Zhuge said, “The Heart-Tugging, Emotion-Arousing, Desire-Falling Needle, as its name suggests, tugs at the heart, arouses emotions, and gives rise to desire. It’s a Joyous-Union Sect treasure meant to provoke lust and throw the heart into chaos. You’ve had this needle embedded in your sea of consciousness… do you really feel nothing at all?”

Mo Hua checked himself and nodded. “I feel a bit, but it’s fine.”

True-Person Zhuge was startled. “Fine?”

Mo Hua nodded. “My appetite’s a bit grown—I keep wanting to eat something, or I feel uncomfortable. And occasionally I like reminiscing about the past.”

True-Person Zhuge frowned. “You don’t feel confused or emotionally unsettled?”

Mo Hua shook his head. “No.”

He thought seriously for a moment and said,

“Before… because I studied formations every day, I was too rational, my mind was frighteningly clear. Now my mind’s a little messier, a little hazier, and a bit muddled. It really feels like being human, and I’m full of energy…”

True-Person Zhuge suddenly began to doubt Mo Hua’s mental state.

Was this child… a little abnormal?

Had his brain been stabbed stupid by that golden needle?

What nonsense was he talking about?

True-Person Zhuge scrutinized Mo Hua’s eyes again and again, only to find that although Mo Hua spoke somewhat dazedly, his gaze was clear and bright, spotless and pure.

True-Person Zhuge was shocked.

This child didn’t know what he had cultivated—his Dao heart was far too pure, his childlike sincerity far too clean, and he was utterly ignorant when it came to desire and lust.

So the heart couldn’t be tethered, emotion couldn’t be aroused, and there was no need to speak of falling into desire at all.

This Heart-Tugging, Emotion-Arousing, Desire-Falling Golden Needle, capable of throwing others’ minds into chaos and destroying their desires, merely made Mo Hua a little muddle-headed from time to time.

True-Person Zhuge didn’t know whether to admire him or envy him.

But no matter what, this golden needle was still a hidden danger.

Mo Hua understood that as well and asked, “True Person, is there a way to remove it?”

He really didn’t want a Joyous-Union Sect “lust needle” stuck in his head every day.

Even though this needle could suppress divinity, his divinity had already shattered once due to his failed Golden Core condensation. Even if it revived again, it probably wouldn’t spiral out of control like before.

Comparatively speaking, the threat posed by this needle was even greater.

True-Person Zhuge said, “There is a method—barely—but I can’t use it on you.”

Mo Hua was puzzled. “Why?”

True-Person Zhuge sighed softly.

“Any cultivation method—be it cultivation arts, techniques, or treasures—ultimately consists of four layers: Dao, Law, Technique, and Vessel. ‘Dao’ is abstruse and profound, not to be discussed lightly, so we’ll set it aside. Below Dao is Law; Law refers to rules. Rules are likewise obscure and difficult to grasp… but there is one thing… any rule requires technique and vessel as its medium.”

Mo Hua listened and nodded repeatedly.

These were matters of the Feathered Ascension realm. True-Person Zhuge didn’t know whether Mo Hua truly understood or was just pretending, so he continued:

“Therefore, to break this golden needle, we can only act on the level of ‘Technique’ and ‘Vessel.’”

“The method of planting the needle is a ‘Technique,’ rooted in divine-sense, acting upon the Sea of Consciousness—formless and intangible.”

“And this golden needle itself is a ‘Vessel.’ It has entered your head and left no trace. To remove it, one would likely have to open the skull.”

“To break the technique, one must act upon your Sea of Consciousness.”

“To remove the needle, one must open your skull.”

“If it were someone else, I could give it a try. But you…”

True-Person Zhuge sighed.

Old Mister Xun had already said this was a “Little Ancestor.” Not a single hair could be harmed. If he dared to open Mo Hua’s skull, wouldn’t he be scolded to death by Old Mister Xun?

Mo Hua was stunned.

“Open… my skull?”

The Huá Clan wanted to slice him up, and now True-Person Zhuge wanted to save him, but still had to open his skull?

“Opening the skull… you won’t die, right?” Mo Hua asked.

True-Person Zhuge pondered. “Not necessarily. The Dao of cultivation is vast and profound. If one follows the body’s meridian principles and applies the blade correctly, even opening the skull wouldn’t cause death. Afterward, you stitch it back up, and the person would still be lively and kicking…”

He looked at Mo Hua. “You… want to try?”

“No, no, no…” Mo Hua shook his head repeatedly.

He didn’t dare joke with his own head.

He cultivated the Dao through Divine-Sense; divine sense was his foundation, the Sea of Consciousness his source. The Sea of Consciousness resided in the brain, if the skull were opened and the Sea of Consciousness damaged, his foundation could be ruined.

What’s more, there were far too many “secrets” in his head.

The Dao Monument, tribulation lightning, the Heaven-Obscuring Grand Formation…

If his brain were really opened, who knew what terrifying commotion might erupt.

“Absolutely not,” Mo Hua refused firmly.

True-Person Zhuge had only been speaking hypothetically anyway. He would rather crack open his own head than touch Mo Hua’s.

Administrator Huangfu frowned. “Is there any other way?”

True-Person Zhuge thought for a moment. “At this point, we can only go ask the Huá Clan again.”

“Go ask the Huá Clan?”

“Mm.”

“But…” Mo Hua frowned. “The Huá Clan won’t agree, will they?”

True-Person Zhuge nodded slightly. “They probably won’t… From the looks of it now, the reason True-Person Huá handed you over to me so readily was likely because he planted this needle in your head. As long as the needle remains, he has a way to restrain you. In the end, you still won’t be able to break away from the Huá Clan…”

Mo Hua’s brows knitted together.

Administrator Huangfu and Administrator Shangguan also looked grave.

Those who could cultivate to Feathered Ascension and hold power in great Clans… none of them were pushovers.

This True-Person Huá was no simple figure.

“Since he won’t agree, should I still go ask?” Mo Hua said.

“We should ask,” True-Person Zhuge said. “There’s no other way anyway. Whether it works or not, we might as well try. Who knows, what if that True-Person Huá really agrees?”

“Even if he doesn’t, we can still pry out some other information.”

Mo Hua said, “Alright…”

…

Thus, the next day, not long after escaping the tiger’s jaws, Mo Hua walked straight back into them.

Together with True-Person Zhuge, he sat drinking tea with True-Person Huá.

Not long ago, he had been a “prisoner under the steps.” Now, instead, he had become an “honored guest.”

Mo Hua’s mood was… somewhat subtle.

Even more subtle was True-Person Huá’s mood.

He hadn’t expected that this kid called “Mo Hua” would dare to come back, let alone dare to sit beside him and drink tea.

It gave him the illusion of a lamb sitting beside a ferocious tiger, calmly grazing.

Even if he was relying on the Great Void Sect and on True-Person Zhuge’s reputation, this kid truly had guts.

But True-Person Huá didn’t say anything.

True-Person Zhuge, on the other hand, was completely unceremonious. As soon as they met, he sat down to drink tea, chatting as casually as if discussing household matters, bringing up the golden needle in Mo Hua’s head.

“Your Huá Clan really is something, so willing to stick this kind of golden needle into a child’s brain?”

“If you’ve got too many treasures, you could donate a few to the Imperial Celestial Bureau…”

True-Person Zhuge’s tone was relaxed, as though he and True-Person Huá were old friends.

In truth, their relationship wasn’t bad to begin with.

True-Person Zhuge was lazy by nature and uncontentious, and as a result had little conflict with major clans and sects.

Moreover, he was a Feathered Ascension True-Person from the Zhuge clan, his status was actually very high.

True-Person Huá could only sigh. “A misunderstanding… after all…” He glanced at Mo Hua, his attitude fairly mild. “Had I known earlier that this little friend Mo was not the Divine-Shaman of the Desolate Wilderness, there would have been no need for such trouble, nor for wasting a Heart-Tugging, Emotion-Arousing Needle…”

Mo Hua didn’t know whether those words were true or false; he just listened casually.

People with high cultivation, great power, and a taste for scheming rarely spoke many truths.

He had seen plenty of that back when he was the Divine-Shaman.

“So… can it be removed?” True-Person Zhuge asked smoothly, his tone as natural as asking what kind of tea they were drinking today.

True-Person Huá looked troubled. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to remove it… it’s that I truly cannot.”

True-Person Zhuge poured him a cup of tea, purely out of regard for Mo Hua.

Normally, he even found it troublesome to pour tea for himself, let alone for someone else.

With a gentle tone, True-Person Zhuge said, “There are no outsiders here. Tell me frankly, what’s really going on?”

True-Person Huá glanced at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua lowered his gaze to his nose, his nose to his mouth, pretending very convincingly that he was not an “outsider.”

True-Person Huá drank the tea poured by True-Person Zhuge, sighed inwardly, and said:

“Brother Zhuge, to be honest… this golden needle was given to me by the Old Ancestor. It wasn’t originally my own method. After the Old Ancestor personally refined the needle, he taught me the method of planting it. There is only one needle, and it can only be planted once. After it’s planted, the divine nature is sealed, and there’s no need to manage it anymore.”

True-Person Huá looked helpless. “I never imagined that when the Old Ancestor refined this needle—ah, that the Old Ancestor would later send word—that under such circumstances, this needle could even be planted in the wrong person. I certainly never imagined having to remove it.”

True-Person Zhuge frowned. “So there’s no way?”

“It’s not that there’s no way…” True-Person Huá said.

True-Person Zhuge shot him a glance. “Go find your Old Ancestor?”

“Yes,” True-Person Huá replied. “Someday in the future, let this little friend Mo go meet my Huà Clan’s Old Ancestor. If the Old Ancestor is willing, he will naturally remove the needle for him…”

True-Person Zhuge’s gaze darkened slightly.

So that was True-Person Huá’s plan…

Mo Hua was only at the Foundation Establishment realm. Sending him to meet the Huà Clan’s Old Ancestor, wouldn’t that be like throwing a meat bun to a dog? Would he even come back?

It seemed the Huà Clan had already made their plans from the very beginning, leaving themselves a backup move.

In that case, Mo Hua was like a fish hooked through the mouth, constantly being “reeled in” by the Huà Clan, seemingly free, yet ultimately unable to escape their grasp.

Mo Hua also knitted his brows tightly.

True-Person Zhuge asked, “The Huà Clan’s Old Ancestors should all be in Dao Province, right?”

“They wouldn’t… come to the Great Wilderness, would they?”

True-Person Huá shook his head. “Naturally not.”

Profound-Hollow-Void Old Ancestors do not emerge into the world—this is an unspoken rule of the cultivation world. Not to mention that the Huà Clan’s Old Ancestors are far away in Dao Province, tens of thousands of li from the Great Wilderness. True-Person Zhuge knew this as well; he had only asked casually.

But this meant that the golden needle in Mo Hua’s Sea of Consciousness—in the short term, no—in fact, even for a very long time, would likely be impossible to remove completely.

This was troublesome…

True-Person Zhuge frowned.

“This golden needle… if it stays buried in the Sea of Consciousness for too long, won’t it cause problems?” True-Person Zhuge asked again.

True-Person Huá said, “That’s hard to say. After all, the Heart-Tugging Emotion-Arousing method is an ancient divine-sense art. It directly affects a person’s mind and spirit. If it’s planted in the brain for a long time, whether it will damage one’s disposition is difficult to judge…”

This was an implicit threat.

True-Person Huá didn’t say it outright, but everyone understood.

True-Person Zhuge waved his hand. “Enough.”

The Huà Clan’s “fishhook” was firmly embedded in Mo Hua now. Whether it could be shaken off would have to be figured out later.

True-Person Zhuge was unwilling to continue idle chatter with True-Person Huá. He casually took his leave and turned to go. Suddenly, he remembered something, turned back, and asked:

“Where does your Huà Clan plan to go next?”

True-Person Huá was puzzled. “Brother Zhuge, what do you mean…?”

True-Person Zhuge said, “Brother Hua, will you still remain at this outpost? If something goes wrong with the needle in this kid’s head, I’ll know where to find you.”

True-Person Huá thought for a moment. “Not necessarily.”

True-Person Zhuge said, “You’re leaving?”

True-Person Huá nodded. “The Dao Court has assigned a task. Next, I may need to go apprehend someone.”

“Apprehend someone?” True-Person Zhuge was surprised. “It requires you to act personally? Who is it?”

True-Person Huá said, “It seems to be a descendant of a great clan. His name is… Bai Zisheng.”

Mo Hua, who had been walking silently with his head lowered, suddenly froze and snapped his head up.

“Who?!”